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oTth Coxoress, \ CONFIDENTIAL. | Eepokt No. 1. 

1st /Session. j 1 Executrt:. 



CESSION OF DANISH ISLANDS IN THE WEST INDIES. 



Febkuaey 5. 1902. — Ordered to Ite printed in confidence for tlie use of the Senate. 



Mr. CuLLOM, from the Committee on Foreign Relations, submitted 

the folloNving 

REPORT. 

[To accompany Executive ;m, I'ifty-.seventh Congress, first session.] 

This treaty provides for the cession to the United States by Den- 
mark of the Danish West Indies, consisting of the islands of St. 
Thomas, St. John.. and Sainte Croix (or Santa Cruz). 

^ATLANTIC OCEAN 

San Juan <n.Th.m.,. <^ ^ ^ 

'Crab Island ^ "^ 

5f. Croix 




^y^rab /s 



CARIBBEAN SEA o 



> 



•^ 






v> 



I? 





O 



SOUTH AMERICA 

The islands of St. Thomas and St. Jolm are a part of the Virgin 
Islands, so named by Christopher Colnmbiis. This chain of islands, 
as stated by Reclus.' forms a prolongation of Porto Eico, but bends 
round somewhat to the northeast before joining the Lesser Antilles. 

Senator Lodge, from this committee, on ^larch 31. 1898. submitted 
a report to the Senate, showing in detail the history of the Danish 
West Indies, a copy of which report, with accompanying papers, is 
attached hei'eto. 

The island of St. Thomas lies about 30 miles east of Porto Rico, St, 
John being immediately east of St. Thomas. St. Croix is situated 
about 40 miles south of St. Thomas, in the Caribbean Sea. 



'^L 



flf 



,UQ>5 



CESSIOX or DANISH ISLANDS IX TIIK WEST IIIDIES. 
ST, THOMAS. 

St. Thomas, notwithstanding its small size, is the most important 
of the Danish West Indies, not only because it is an important coaling 
station smcl depot of trade with the West Indies, but because of its 
excellent harbor, hereafter referred to. St. Thomas is 12 miles long- 
east and west, and from 1 to 3 miles broad. Its population, as shown 
by the census of 1891. is 10,886. of Avhich about 200 are voters. Prac- 
tically all of the inhabitants live in the town called Charlotte Amalie, 
situated midway of the island on the south side. The only article of 
export is a small quantity of bay rum. 

THE HARBOR. 

St. Thomas has a small interior harbor, completely sheltered, which 
will accommodate many vessels. Outside the harbor, on the open 
coast, and in a roadstead parth^ sheltered by an outlying island, is a 
good anchorage for a great number of ships, and this anchorage is, 
during almost the whole j'ear, sufficiently smooth to admit of ships 
coaling and taking in stores. The harbor is near the middle of the 
south shore of the island, and its entrance at the narrowest part is 1^ 
cables (900 feet) wide, from whence it spreads out on either side to a 
basin, about three-quarters of a mile in diameter, and, being open to 
the southward, is at all times free of ingress and egress v»ith the pre- 
vailing trade wind. 

ST JOHX. 

This island is 8 miles long east and Avest and of irregular breadth. 
Its area is about 40 square miles, and it contains 915 inhabitants. It 
occupies an excellent position near St. Thomas, and its port of Coral 
Bay on the east side is said to be the best harbor of refuge in the 
Antilles during cyclones. 

ST. CROIX. 

St. Croix, so named by Columbus, is situated -10 miles south of St.' 
Thomas, and 6.5 miles from Porto Rico. It is the largc^st of the Danish 
West Indies, and its capital. It is 19 miles long, of irregular breadth, 
and contains 51,890 acres, of which over 16,000 acres are devoted to 
the cultivation of sugar. St. Croix, during the year 1898, imported 
articles to the value of $821,701, and she exported articles to the value 
of $550,382. A great part of her trade is with the United States. 
Christiansted, commonly called the Basin, is the capital city, and is 
situated at the head of an inlet on the north side. Frederikstead, the 
second largest toAvn on the island, is situated on the west coast, and 
both towns are connected with the surrounding villages by good roads. 
There is a small harbor at Frederikstead, and; a larger one at Christian- 
sted, not capable, however, of receiving many vessels. 

The Danish West India Islands are inhabited mostly by free negrces 
engaged in the cultivation of sugar cane. 

TRADE AVITH THE UXITED STATES. 

During the year 1900 the Danish West Indies exported to the United 
States sugar, molasses, and distilled spirits amounting to $568,935; 
gold amounting to $26,775, and silver amounting to $7,485. 

D. of D. 
MAY 18 1917 



CESSIOX OF DANISH ISLAXDS IX THE WEST INDIES. 3 

During- the same period the United States sold to the Danish West 
Indies articles to the value of s<V2l.5'24. 

The following table shows in detail the articles exported to and 
imported from the Danish West Indies by the United States : 

DANISH WEST IXDIES. 

Imports from. 



ARTICLES. 


1891 


1896 1 1898 


1906 


Quantities. 


FREE OF DI'TY. 

Anicles, the growth, produce, etc.. 
States, returned: 
Spirits, distUled 


of the United 

proof galls.. 

lbs-. 

do.... 

of the United 


22. 996 

cv 

3S5, 52S 


2,412 
6,837 






Hides and skins other than fur skins. 
Sugar: Cane and other 


5,668 


6,600 




Values. 


Articles, the groTrth, produce, etc.. 
States, returned: , 
Spirits, distilled 


S24, 846 
4.610 
li;023 


S4,500 
1,514 


! 
i 


Hides and skins other than fur skins 


?1,524 


$1,301 


Sugar: Cane and other 






Total free of duty 


48, 720 


19 594 


in .M.i 


13,217 




proof gaUs.. 

galls.. 

lbs.. 




DITTIABLE. 


Quantities. 


Spirits, distilled 

Sugar and molasses: 

Molasses 

Cane and other 


20,413 

IS. 814 
6,684,359 


16,800 

4,013 
12,202,619 


2,138 

7,759 
14,832,991 


13,227 

7,165 
21,664,980 




Values. 


Perfumery, etc 

Spirits, distilled 


S13,53S 
11,673 

2,425 
209,507 


$.8, 442 
7,905 

546 
261,728 


$1,878 
811 

939 
312, 446 


S3. 010 
5,583 

1,219 


Sugar and molasses: 

" Molasses 


Canp anr) other 




544,985 








Total dutiable 


239,661 


290,745 


317,244 












2SS, SSI 


310,339 


327,759 


. 568,935 






Imports of: 
Gold 


%,756 

46, 805 


44,058 
15,614 


17,226 
12, 871 


26 775 


Silver.. . . . 


7,748 









Exports to. 



DOMESTIC mer:ha--i-ise. 
Breadstuffs: 

Com meal bbls. 

Wheat flour bbls . . 

Coal tons.. 

Oilcake and oilcake meal ." IVs.. 

Oils, mineral: Ilhmiinating galls.. 

Provisions, comprising meat and dairy products: * 

Hams " lbs . . 

Pork, pickled lbs. . 

Lard lbs . . 

Oleomargarine lbs.. 

Butter. ." lbs. . 

Spirits, distilled proof galls. . 

Starch lbs. . 

Sugar, refined lbs. . 

Tobacco, leaf lbs. . 

Wood, and manufactures of: 

Boards, deals, and planks M feet.. 

1 Not stated. 



Quantities. 



19, tiTo 
24, 772 
61,868 
542,405 
49, 408 

53,<^S4 
347, 650 
140, 475 

29, 075 
145,116 
9,946 
137,074 
106,931 

90,689 



16,000 
26,423 
56.355 
427, 891 
75,499 

67,525 
369,400 
162, 889 
102.890 

62, 263 
2,083 
160,695 
195, 140 
122. 749 



1,801 i 

» See dutiable. 



736 



17, 025 
34,085 
64, 770 
530, 168 
94, 777 

136,567 
505,700 
501,454 
108,975 
72,289 
1S7 
153,982 
114,525 
188, 422 

8«18 



18,953 
28,977 
61. 249 
478,353 
85,643 

90,502 
346,300 
205.825 
116,890 

19, 448 

464 

240,364 

77,317 
123, 819 

2,567 



CESSION OF DANISH ISLANDS IN THE WEST INDIES. 
E.rijorts /o^CoiuiniitHl. 



AKTICLES. 


1891 


1896 


1898 


1900 


Values. 


DOMESTIC MEKcuANDisE— continued. 
Breadstuffs: 


$63,458 

124,231 

21,413 

165.489 

7,704 

15,342 

9, 128 

7,055 

5,651 
592 

6,105 
20,149 
10, 254 
2,880 
19,218 
12,406 
9,425 
5,645 
6,985 
6, 549 
9,163 

28, 392 

875 

1,083 

13,794 


S30, 516 
98, 633 
19,236 

146, 557 
12,001 
12,271 
15, 724 
4,123 

7,584 
2,524 

6,887 

20,688 

10, 565 

11,131 

8,071 

13,015 

1.974 

5,918 

4,767 

9, 764 

8, 643 

12,114 
4.407 
1,820 

14,307 


833,786 
178, 730 
24, 890 
150,001 
21,004 
17, 881 
25, 554 
6, 821 

8, 066 
1,343 

11,685 

26,705 

31,848 

9,711 

8, 771 

20, 356 

416 

4,785 

6,039 

14,661 

10, 723 

13,443 

2,294 

414 

9, 261 


S42,856 




106, 156 


Another 

Coal. 


19, 032 
115,549 


Cotton, manufacturos of .• 


14, 695 




45,416 




30, 180 




7,018 


Oils, mineral: 

lUuminatinc! 


9,793 


All other 


1,492 


Provisions, comprising meat and dairy products: 

Hams 


8,205 


l^ork, pickled . . 


19,395 




13, 849 




8,530 


Butter . . 


3,226 


All other .... 


12,244 


Spirits, distilled 


737 


Starch 


7,043 
4,096 


Tobacco, leaf 


9,750 




8,880 


Wood, and manufactures of: 


43,769 


Shooks 


2.368 




328 


Another 


12.054 






Total domestic merchandise 


625, 609 
10, 906 


535,974 
1,399 


704,034 
3,588 


622, 145 


Total forei'j:n merchandise 


2,379 






Total exports of merchandise 


636, 575 


537,373 


707, 622 


624,524 






Exports of: 

Gold 






12,004 


(') 


Silver > 




i 








1 See dutia 


ble. 









The United States first attenipteil the purchase of these ishmds in 
18()5. durin<>- the Administration of President Lincohi. Secretary 
Seward seemed to be especially anxious that they should belong to the 
United States, 

James Part on, in 1869, in a little work entitled " The Danish Islands, 
are we bound in honor to pay for them ? " gives an authentic detailed 
account of the negotiations carried on by Secretary Seward, com- 
mencing in 1865. 

It appears that Mr. Seward first proposed to purchase the islands 
at a dinner party in January, 1865. Denmark had no desire to part 
with her West India colonies. The assassination of President Lincoln 
and the attempted assassination of Secretary Seward suspended the 
negotiations for some time. In the meantime Secretary Seward vis- 
ited the islands. It was not, however, until Julv 17, 1866. that the 
United States made a definite offer of $5,000.000 'for St. Thomas, St. 
John, and Santa Cruz, 

In 1867. Denmark declined to sell the islands for $5,000,000, but 
offered St, Thomas and St, John for $10,000,000, or $15,000,000 for 
the three. Mv. Seward replied by offering $7,500,000 in gold for the 
three islands. Denmark agreed to take $7,500,000 for St. Thomas and 
St, John, but wanted $8,750,000 in addition for Santa Cruz, Finally 
Secretary Seward agreed to purchase Sf. Thomas and St. J oh7i for the 



CESSION OF DANISH ISLANDS IX THE WEST INDIES. 5 

price named by Denmark. $7,500,000. \n\t further complications arose 
because Denmark insisted that the consent of the i)eoj)le of the islantls 
should be formally given before the sale ^Yas consunnnated. This Avas 
at first objected to by Mr. Seward, but he finally cabled our minister 
to '■' concede question of vote." and on the ^ith of October the treaty 
Mas signed. 

The question Avas submitted to a vote of the people, the voting 
occurring in St. Thomas on January D. 1SG8, and out of l.O:]!) votes 
cast there Avere but ii:2 votes agaiust the cession. In St. John there 
Avere but '205 A'otes in favor of the cession and not one against it. 

The treaty Avas submitted to the Kigsdag of Denmark and pronq)tly 
ratified and signed by the King on June 81, 18()S. It Avas submitted 
to the United States Senate on December 3, 18GT. Senator Sumner 
Avas chairman of the Connnittee on Foreign Eelations during this 
period, and the treaty remained unreported for more than tAvo years, 
Avhen on ^larch 24. 1870. Senator Sumner reported it adversely and 
the Senate declined to ratify it. The negotiations for the purchase of 
"the islands commenced under President Lincoln ; the treaty Avas signed 
shortly after AndrcAv Johnson became President, but it Avas not 
acted upon until the aciministration of President (xrant. 

The correspondence attached to Report No. 816, attached hereto, 
shoAvs that the purchase of these islands Avas considered by Secretaries 
Foster and Olney during the administrations of Presidents Harrison 
and Cleveland. 

On JNIarch 31. 1808. the Connnittee on Foreign Relations reported 
a bill authorizing the President to purch;ise the Danish West India 
Islands for a naval and coaling station, and on this l)ill Senator Lodge 
submitted the report already referred to. The l)ill Avas net acted 
upon. 

THE AALT"E OF THE ISLANDS TO THE UNITED STATES. 

These islands, together Avith Porto Rico, are of great importance in 
a strategic Avay, Avhether the strategy be military or commercial. St. 
Thomas is the natural point of call for all European trade bound to 
the AVest Indies. Central America, or northern South America. These 
islands, together Avith Porto Rico, form the northeastern corner of the 
Caribbean Sea and are of great importance in connection Avith the 
American isthmus, Avhere a canal Avill be constructed ]ietv\-een the 
Atlantic and Pacific. They are of first importance in connection Avith 
our relations to the region of the Orinoco and the Amazon and Avith 
our control of the Windward Passage, 

In vieAv of the isthmian canal and Euroi^ean settlements in South 
America, every additional acquisition by the United States in the 
West Indies is of value. 

Porto Rico is densely populated. Its roads are poor. It has a long 
coast line Avithout i)orts for large A'essels. It is' consequently A'ery 
difficult of defense. San Juan is the only harbor capable of foi-tifica- 
tions. and this is only su.itable for A'essels of light draft. 

jNIajor Glassford. of the Signal Corps, in Avriting of the military 
advantages of St. Thomas, has stated: 

The island of St. Thomas offers (.•oiulitioiis siiital>le for (Uwohi]nn2: a first-class 
niilitar.v outpost. This island i)ossi'ssi>s all tho nntural advaiil aires, enahlins: it 
to be converted into a second (iihraUar. The structure of this narrow island, 
with its long central ridge, having a general elevation of about 1.000 feet, 



6 CESSIOX OF DANISH ISLANDS IX THE WEST INDIES. 

with some points ."00 i'wt liiiilier. is espocijilly :ulain<Ml For ilio tMiiplaceiiient of 
fortitif-ations conunandin.Lr Itotli slioros at tlu' same timo. malcinii il extremely 
difUciilt for an enemy to ai>iiroacii or to olnain a rocttliold upon the island. The 
elevated f-anmnd in the innnediate nei,uiiI)orhood of the excellent roadsteads 
which this i.sland aftords makes the qiu>siion of harbor defense a comparatively 
easy one. This position, with its few inhabitants, conhl be easily provisioned 
for a lon.i; sie.ue. The harl)or of Charloue Amaiie and the nnmerous sheltered 
place.s about the island alTord 6 and 7 fathoms of water. Beside, this harbor 
and the roadsteads are on the S(mthern side of the island, completely protected 
from the prevailinu' strong- winds. If this jtlace were stroniily fortified and 
provisioned, it would be necessary for an enemy contcnnplatin.u- a descent upon 
Porto Rico to lirst take it into account. 

This location on the nortlieast rim of the Antilles is in close proximity to 
many of the passaires into the Caribliean Sea, and aftords an excellent point of 
ob.servation near European possessions in the archipelago. While being near 
otlier islands, yt. Thomas is practically in the open ocean, and permits the 
entrance and egress of a fleet without its being observed. It is also a center 
of the West Indian submarine cable systems, being about mi<lway between the 
Windward I'assage ami the Trinidad entrance into the Caribbean Sea. 

THE TREATY. 

Article IV provides: 

Tlie colonial treaty shall continue to pay the yearly allowances now given to 
heretofore retired functionaries appointed in the islands, but holding no royal 
commissions, unless tliose allowances may have until itow been paid in Denmark, 

This provision was inserted at the instance of Denmark, and I am 
informed that the yearly alloAvances referred to are very small, aggre- 
gating but about $2,000 annually, which will continue to be paid out 
of the local treasury of the islands. 

The last portion of Article I provides : 

And it is moreover ttnderstood and agreed that the Unitc-d States will assttme 
and continue to discharge from the time of the Cession the obligations hereto- 
fore inctimbent upon the Danish Government toward the St. Tlumias Floating 
Dock Company and the West India and Panama Telegraph Company. 

No responsibility of any kind whatever is incumbent on the Danish Govern- 
ment, nor on the United States Government, as to the guaranty which, conform- 
ably to the ordinance of June 16, 1876, the colonial treasury of Sainte Croix 
has assumed with regard tt) the payment of an interest of 5 per cent per annum 
to the holders of the shares of the " Sainte Croix Fallessukkergogerier " Com- 
pany, I^imited, 

The third paragraph of Article II provides : 

The Danish Government retains the claims lield by the same as a creditor 
against the " Ste. Croix Fallessukkerkogerier " Company. Limited ; should that 
Government acquire the ownership of property belonging to this company in 
the island of St. Croix, the above provision regarding a sale within two years 
shall apply to such property, the two years, however, to begin from the date 
of the acquirement of ownership of said property, which shall be within three 
years from the exchange of the ratifications of the present treaty. 

In connection with those two clauses of the treaty the following 
memorandum has been submitted by the Department of State : 

1. The" obligations heretofore incumbent upon the Danish Govern- 
ment toward the St. Thtmias Floating Dock Company and the West 
India and Panama Telegraph Company" are as follows: 

A. The St. Thomas Floating Dock Company obtained a grant 
March 12, 1897, for twenty-one years, securing to it the exclusive 
right to make charges, regulations, etc. The effect of the treaty pro- 
vision is to secure the company in the enjoyuient of its franchise until 
1918. The company is not subsidized by the Danish or the insular 
treasury. Services rendered by the company to the Government are 



CESSIOX OF DANISH ISLANDS IX THE WEST INDIES, 7 

paid for according to the approved schedule. The Department of 
State is advised by the Xavy Department that the floating dock is 
equipped to perform all required services, and that the use of its 
facilities will be of practical advantage to the Xavy. 

B. The West India and Panama Telegraph Company. Limited, is an 
English corporation. The original concession was made February 12, 
18G!). The present pecuniary obligation of the Danish (Jovernment to 
the company is a subsidy, lately granted to the company for five years, 
until January 1, 1005. of $o.()UU a year from the treasury of St. 
Thomas and St. John, and $1,000 a year from the treasui'y of St. 
Croix, or. in all. $1,000 annually. Services for the Government are 
performed at scheduled rates. Except as to the local subsid.y, the 
situation of the company in the islands is the same as that of the 
telegrai)h companies holding concessions in Porto Rico and Cuba 
during the life of the grant. 

2. The situation of the Ste. Croix Sugar Company is briefly as fol- 
lows: In 187G the Danish Government lent the company l.lil:.T81:.57 
crowns at a stipulated interest. The interest not having been paid for 
twenty years, the Danish treasury took ])ossession of the use of the 
mortgaged property in conformity with Danish law. and still retains 
it. The working of the property has sometimes been attended with 
loss. From 1897 to 1900 a small surplus was yielded. Besides this, 
the company's shares to the amount of 1.415.000 crowns at 5 per cent 
were taken by the public, the interest being guaranteed by the treasury 
of the island of Ste. Croix. This interest has never been paid. 

The Danish Government assumes all ol)ligations of whatever char- 
acter growing out of its relations with the Ste. Croix Sugar Com- 
pany. The object of the closing provision of Article I is to discharge 
the insular treasury and the Government of the United States from 
all liability by reason of the nonpayment of the guaranteed interest. 

It is nnderstood to be the purpose of the Danish Government to 
acquire the property of the sugar company by negotiation with the 
company or by sale under foreclosure, and wind up its aifairs by com- 
position with the shareholders or by liquidation. The provisions of 
the third paragraph of Article II relative to the retention by the Dan- 
ish (xovernment of its claims as a creditor of the defaulting company 
are designed to allow the Danish Government time to acquire the 
property and realize npon it. 

As already shown, the last clause of Article I excludes the interest 
debt of the treasuiy of Ste. Croix from the category of claims which 
the Danish Government ma}^ collect and retain. This latter provi- 
sion was inserted out of abundant caution. In point of fact, the un- 
fulfilled guaranty of the insular treasury could not subsist as a valid 
claim in favor of Denmark. As explained in a note of the Danish 
minister — 

The guaranty of 5 per cent interest per annum, which, according to the above, 
is incumbent on the colonial treasury of Sto. Croix in regard to certain share- 
holders, will cease as soon as the Danish Government has acquired the owner- 
ship of the mortgaged property of the " Fallessukkerkogerier " by execution 
sale, because, in accordance with the ordinance of .Tune 16, 1S7G. this guaranty 
should only last until the loan given by the Danish treasury was liquidated. 

No responsibility or obligation of any kind rests on the Govern- 
ment of the United States or on the insular treasiUT in connection 
with the Ste. Croix Sugar Company. 



APPENDIX A. 



XAYAL STATION IX THE WEST INDIES. 



Makch 31, 189S. — Ordered to be printed. 



Mr. Lodge, from the Committee on Foreign Relations, submitted the 

following 

REPORT. 

[To accompany S. 4303.] 

The three islands of the Antilles now in the possession of Denmark 
are St. Thomas, St. John, and Santa Cruz. St. Thomas lies in 18° 
20' 40" north latitude and 64° 55' 38" west longitude, and St. John 
about 3 miles to the southeast of it. They both form part of the 
group known as the Virgin IsLmds, which lies about 38 miles from 
the Spanish island of Puerto Rico at the nearest point. This group 
of about fifty islands, small and large, scattered over an area '24 
leagues east and west by 16 north and south, was discovered and 
named on November 30 by Christopher Columbus during his sec- 
ond voyage to the West Indies, in 1193. At the time of discovery 
these islands were, Avhen inhabited at all, in the possession of the 
Caribs, a tribe of warlike cannibals, and it was not until 1550 that 
thev were definitely driven from the archipelago by the Emperor 
Charles V. 

It is not entirely certain when and by whom St. Thomas, the largest 
of the Virgin group, was first settled. On recent and reliable author- 
ity, however. Erik Smidt. who was, it appears, at the head of a trad- 
ing company which had been formed at Copenhagen at al)Out that 
time, took possession of the island in behalf of the Danish Crown on 
the 30th of May, 1666. The Danes, however, seem not to have been 
the first settlers, but there is no certainty who the first settlers actu- 
ally were. At all events, in 1671, on the forming of the "West India 
and (iuinea Company at Copenhagen, the island of St. Thonuis 
passed definitely under the Danish Crown, and, with the exception 
of a short period in 1801 and from 1807 to 1815, when on l)oth occa- 
sions it was occuj^ied as a war measure, the island has remained 
under the Danish flag for two hundred and tAventy years. 

9 



10 CESSIOX OF DAXISH ISLANDS IN IHE WEST INDIES. 

In a letter v, ritten by the directors of the Danish West India Com- 
pany on December '20. 1710. permission Avas "iven to 10 of the inhabit- 
ants of St. Thomas to cultivate the island of St. John. The Danes 
had taken formal possession in 1081. and after the settlement the fate 
of this little island was bound Avith that of its larger sister. The 
events in the history of these two islands are not numerous. 

In 172-4 St. Thomas was formally declared a port of entrance for all 
nations, though this had in fact long been the case. In 1733 occurred 
the great slave insurrection on the island of St. John. Avhich resulted 
in the death of several whites and Avhich was finally put doAvn by the 
assistance of some French troops from Santo Domingo. 

The history of the island of Santa Cruz, which lies somewhat to the 
south of the Virgin group, is far more dramatic. Discovered by 
Columbus in the same month in which he came upon the Virgin 
group, Ave first find it inhabited in the year 16-1:3 by two distinct 
parties of English and Dutch. Tavo years later, as a result of mutual 
jealousies and civil Avar betAveen the two parties, the Dutch Avere com- 
pelled to leave the island. The English, hoAvever, Avere not long al- 
loAved to enjoy the fruits of their victory, for in 1650 they Avere at- 
tacked by a force of 1,200 Spaniards and driA^en from the island. A 
small company of Spaniards Avas left to hold the place. After an 
imsuccessfrd attemi:)t to regain possession of the island by the Dutch, 
the 05 Spaniards avIio had been left to defend it Avere attacked by a 
force of 160 Frenchmen from St. Kitts and surrendered to the neAv- 
comers Avithout resistance. Thus in the space of seven years English, 
Dutch, Spanish, and French had in turn sought to gain possession 
of the island of Santa Cruz. 

During the next centnrv its historv Avas also eventful. In 1051 the 
Knights'' of ]Malta bought St. Christopher. St. Martin. St. Bar- 
tholomcAv, Tortuga, and Santa Cruz for 120.000 livres. which Avere 
paid doAvn by Commandant de Poincey. He Avas thus virtual oAvner 
of the islands until 1653. Avhen he ceded them to the Knights of ]Malta, 
AA-hose dominion Avas confirmed by a royal concession, made in March, 
1683, and signed by Louis XIV. The affairs of the islands Avere not 
prosperous. OAA'ing to sickness, restriction of their commerce, and con- 
sequent hindrance to agriculture. After futile attempts to restore 
prosperity to the islands, things became so bad that in 1720 the 
French settlers demolished their forts, abandoned the island, and re- 
moved to Santo Domingo. "After this." says Knox, " it Avas visited 
by the ships of all nations until 1727. Avhen the French captured seven 
English merchant vessels. Avhich Avere lying there, and again took 
possession of the island. From this time until the year 1753 it con- 
tinued to be the property of France, from AA'hom it Avas at length 
purchased by King Christian VI for 750.000 French livres.*' 

In 1736 the Danish West India Company allied themselves Avith a 
body of merchants in Copenhagen, and. by excluding the Dutch 
from all commerce Avitli the islands, established a monopoly of trade. 
The result of this restriction Avas most unfortunate to the islanders, 
and things Avent from bad to Avorse until in 1758 the King took over 
the colonies, paying the company 2.200,000 pieces of eight ($1,-418,000) 
for them. They haAe remained ever since in the possession of the 
Danish CroAvn. 

Santa Cruz, the capital of the Danish Islands, has an area of about 
81 English square miles. Its shape is elongated, being about 10 Eng- 



CESSION OF DANISH ISLANDS IN THE WEST INDIES. 11 

lisli miles east and west and from 5 to 1 Enolish miles north and south. 
The northern part of the island is intersected from east to west by a 
range of hills or low mountains. The southwestern part of the island 
is level or slightly undulating. The shores are surrounded by coral 
reefs, except in the northwest, Avhere depths of 1,0U0 fathoms are 
found near the shore. There are several small creeks or water- 
courses in the island. The climate is tropical, the temperature high 
and subject to little variation: tlie yearly average is •27.'2° C, with a 
little more than three degrees difference between the mean tempera- 
ture during the warmest month, August, and the coldest month. 
February. 

A trade wind blows during the whole year with the exception of 
the hurricane months — August, September, and October — when it 
becomes irregular and sometimes ceases altogether. According to 
the last census the population of St. Croix numbered 19,083 souls, of 
which 9,552 are males and 10,251 females. The town of Christian- 
sted contains 5,499 persons and Frederiksted 3,685. The remainder 
live in the rural districts. Sugar is the staple production. Of the 
51,980 acres which the island contains 16,478 acres are in sugar, and 
of the remainder 29,776 acres are chiefly pasture, while 4,926 acres 
are unused. There are some 100 sugar estates on the island in culti- 
vation, and in 1896 the export of sugar amounted to about 15,000 
tons. There is semiweekly regular communication with St. Thomas, 
and the Quebec and the Pickford and Black lines of steamers pro- 
ceed as a rule from St. Thomas to AYest End or Frederiksted on their 
outward voj^ages, the former touching at both ports on the return. 

The island of St. Thomas is about 13 miles long by 4 in width, with 
a population of something like 12,000 souls, of which about 200 enjoy 
electoral privileges. Owing to its geographical position and fine 
harbor, which is so easy of access, it long maintained an important 
position as the entrepot of the West Indies, headquarters for many 
lines of steamers, a coaling station, and a port of refuge. In late 
years business has somewhat fallen away. St. Thomas is the West 
India headquarters and coaling station of the Hamburg-American 
Packet Company, and the German, French, and English mail com- 
panies also have coaling stations there. The French mail stops once 
a month from Havre, Bordeaux, and the Spanish port of Santander, 
with an intercolonial boat from Martinique and Guadeloupe. The 
German mail from Flamburg direct about every ten days, and the 
English mail every fourteen days, make connection with the English 
and French Windward Islands. The Xew York service is done by 
the Quebec Line about every three weeks, and by the " Red D " Line 
once a month. The Pickford and Black steamers call regularly every 
four weeks from St. Johns, New Brunswick, and Halifax via Ber- 
muda. In addition there is a monthly service by the West India and 
Pacific Company from Liverpool, proceeding to Colon, Jamaica, etc. 

St. John is an island with an area of 42 square miles and a popula- 
tion of 915 souls. The product of the island is sugar. 

The first negotiations of the United States for the purchase of the 
Danish Islands were begun by Mr. Seward, then Secretary of State, 
in January, 1865, at least so it is supposed. There is mention in 
contemporary pamphlets of a dinner party at the French embassy, 
where ^Ir. Seward first expressed to General IJaaslof. the Danish 
charge d'affaires, the desire of the United States to buy the Danish 



12 CESSIOX OF DAXISPI ISLAXDS IN THE WEST INDIES. 

Islands in the Antilles. Afterwards other conferences follov.ed of an 
unofficial character. INIr. Seward nri>ino' the Danish minister, who 
replied that Denmark had no desire to sell the islands. Great secrecy 
Avas insisted upon and preserved. This was under the Presidency of 
Lincoln, (leneral liaaslof. who was himself op})osed to the sale, re- 
■l)orted these interviews to his Government, who rei^lied that it would 
be advisable to drop the negotiations, as the Danish (lovernment had 
no desire to part with these colonies. Mr. Seward's carriage accident, 
consequent illness, and temporary incapacity for public affairs con- 
firmed this attitude on the part of Denmark. 

In April came the assiissinaticn of the President, the wounding of 
Mr. Seward, and the accession of Mr. Johnson to the Chief Executive. 
Mr. Seward's recovery Avas sIoav, and it Avas not u.ntil December. isGS, 
on the eve of his departure for the South, a journey taken to restore 
his health, that the Secretary of State again mentioned the matter to 
General Eaaslof. The complexion of affairs AAas noAv someAvhat al- 
tered. A ncAv ministry had come into poAver at Coi^enhagen. and it 
Avas less opposed to the sale than the former one had been. Hence, a 
note to Mr. SeAvard. declaring that although the Government had no 
desire to sell, still it Avas net unAvilling to entertain the Secretary's 
.propositions. A request Avas made that the Ignited States declare 
hoAV much it Avas Avilling to give. 

Mr. SeAvard departed, and during his absence A'isited St. Thomas 
and convinced himself of the necessity of the purchase. On his re- 
turn he pressed General Raaslof to name a price, and the Danish 
minister in turn demanded that, as the United States Avished to buy 
and not Denmark to sell, an offer should be made bA' the American 
Government. Finally, on July 17. 18G<). as General Eaaslof Avas leav- 
ing for Co]ienhao-en. Mr. ScAvard deliAered to him*a note oft'ei'ino'. on 
behalf of the Ignited States. $5,000,000 for the three Danish islands, 
St. Thomas. St. John, and Santa Cruz. Mr. SeAvard personallv in- 
formed General Eaaslof that the representative of the United States 
in Denmark Avould, iov a time. haA'e charge of the affair; also that 
Ihe United States Avas not pressed for an ansAver. A few days after 
General Raaslof left America, and soon after his arrival at Copen- 
hagen he Avas appointed minister of Avar, and. in the Avork of reor- 
ganizing the Danish armA^ lost sight of aff'airs in America. 

Count Frijs. the Danish minister for foreign affairs, Avho conse- 
quentlA" nOAv had charge of the negotiations, Avas in favor of the sale, 
but still the affair dragged until January 19. 1867. Avhen Mr. Yeaman. 
United States minister at Copenhagen. receiA'ed the folloAving tele- 
gram from Mr. SeAvard : "Tell Eaaslof haste important." HoAveA'er. 
nothing Avas done for tAvo months. Denmark felt a good deal of hesi- 
tation, oAving to the uncertainty of the treaty being ratified by the 
Senate, bait she became more assured by the absence of opposition in 
the United States to the purchase scheme and by the speedy ratifi- 
cation of the Alaska purchase treaty. Nevertheless, at the end of 
tAvo months Mr. ScAvard telegra]"»hed again to JNIr. Yeaman. "Want 
yea or nay noAv.'' ]Mr. Yeaman at once communicated Avitli (leneral 
Eaaslof. but it Avas not until the 17th of May, 1807. that Count Frijs 
made a counter proposition to Mr. SeAvard's note. Through the me- 
dimn of Mr. Yeaman, he declined on behalf of Denmark the offer of 
$5,000,000 and offered the islands for $15,000,000, or St. Thomas and 



CESSIOX OF DANISH ISLANDS IN THE WEST INDIES. 13 

St. John for $10,000,000. \vith llio option of taking Santa Cruz for 
$5,000,000 more. 

Count Frijs explained that the ratification of the treaty of cession 
by the Rigsdag would be necessary, and that the Danish (xovernnient 
would require that the consent of the people of the islands should be 
freely and formally given. In ten days Mr. Yeaman was in receipt 
of Mr. Seward's answer to this proposition, which was in substance 
this: •• The United States will pay for the three islands $7.,")0().000 in 
gold." Mr. Seward objected, however, to the condition that the con- 
sent of tlie inhabitants of the islands was necessary, and thought it 
sufficient that they should have the free choice of leaving the islands 
within two years or remaining and becoming American citizens. 
Mr. Yeaman immediately communicated these instructions to the 
Danish minister for foreign alfairs, who promised an early answer. 
This answer was given in a month, in an interview between Count 
Frijs and ]Mr. Yeaman. Mr. Seward's second oifer was refused and 
a counter proposition made. This was that Denmark would cede the 
islands for $ll.-250,000, or 20,000,000 Danish rix dollars, or St. 
Thomas and St. John for $7,500,000, and Santa Crux at option for 
$3,750,000. Count Frijs further declared that taking a vote of the 
people of the islands before the cession was absolutely indispensable. 

Mr. Seward's second offer being thus formally rejected by the 
Danish Government, Mr. Yeaman now informed Count Frijs that his 
instructions obliged him to announce that the offer of the United 
States was withdrawn and the negotiations ended. Nevertheless, on 
July G, 18G7, Mr. Seward telegraphed to Mr. Adams in London : ''Tell 
Yeaman close with Denmark's offer. St. John, St. Thomas, seven 
and one-half millions. Report brief by cable. Send treaty ratified 
immediately." Still the negotiations lagged. Mr. Seward was 
strongly opposed to the vote by the islanders, but the Danish Govern- 
ment was firm on this point, and he finally cabled to INIr. Yeaman: 
" Concede question of vote." On the 24th of October, 1SG7, the treaty 
was finally signed by the Danish minister and bj^ Mr. Yeaman on 
behalf of the United States. 

There remained the vote of the islanders. ]Mr. Carstensen was sent 
as Danish commissioner to take the vote, and Mr. Seward dispatched 
Dr. Hawley to the islands to attend to American interests. He ar- 
rived at St. Thomas on the 12th of November, 18G7;on the 18th of 
November, before the vote was taken, there occurred a terrible earth- 
quake, which did much damage to the island, and affairs came tempo- 
rarily to a standstill. They were resumed on November 26, and on 
January 9. 18G8, the vote was taken in St. Thomas, and on the follow- 
ing day in St. John. In the larger island there were cast 1,039 votes 
for the cession and only 22 against it, and in the smaller 205 votes for 
and none against. There were fears in Denmark that the United 
States would not ratify even after Denmark was fully committed, 
but Mr. Seward calmed these fears with renewed assurances of suc- 
cess, and after some hesitation the treaty was ratified bv the Rigsdag 
and signed by the King on January 31, 1868. This ratification oc- 
curred in the midst of the fierce political war between President 
Johnson and Congress. The limit of time named in the treaty for 
ratification was February 24. 1868, and this went by witliout action 
by Congress. The time was then extended to October 14. 18G8. All, 



14 CESSION OF DANISH ISLANDS IN THE WEST INDIES. 

however,^ Avas useless. Denmark made repeated endeavors, in the 
person of her minister and through the medium of other powers, to 
conchide the negotiations, but in vain. The treaty fell a victim to the 
storm of political hatred then raging in this country, and in the ses- 
sion of 18GS, after an adverse report, the United States Senate 
dropped it. 

In Schuyler's American Diplomacy, page lio. we find the following 
comment : 

Deiiinark had no particular desii-e to seU to the United States, but was per- 
suaded to do so. Tlie iiihabirants of the Islands had already voted to accept the 
United States as their sovereign. Tlie late Mr. Charles Sumner, then chairman 
of the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate, who v,as entailed in a 
personal quarrel v/ith the administration, simply refused to report l)ack the 
treaty to the Senate, and he was supported hy a sufficient number of his com- 
mittee and of Senators to enable the matrer to be left in this position. It re- 
quired new neg-otiations to prolong the term of ratification, and it wa.s with 
great difficulty that in a subsequent session the treaty wa.s finally brought be- 
fore the Senate and rejected. As may be imagined, our friendly relations witli 
Denmarlv wei-e considerably impaired by this method of doing business. ~ 

After a lapse of twenty-four years since the rejection of this treat}', 
the negotiations were reopened in 1892, while Hon. John W. Foster 
was Secretary of State. The accompanying papers (Appendix A), 
which, in response to a request for information, were sent to the 
chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations by the Assistant 
Secretary of State on May 12. 1897. contain a fidl account of the most 
recent negotiations, including, in addition to those of Mr. Foster, the 
correspondence of Mr. Olney on this subject, in 1896, for the pur- 
chase of the Danish Islands and of the condition and value of the 
harbor of St. Thomas. 

The arguments in favor of the possession of these islands can be 
briefly stated, and appear to the undersigned to be unanswerable. 
So long as these islands are in the market there is always the danger 
that some European power may purchase or try to purchase them. 
This would be an infraction of the Monroe doctrine, and would at 
once involve the United States in a very serious difficulty with the 
European power wdiich sought possession of the islands. In the in- 
terest of peace, it is of great importance that these islands should 
pass into the hands of the United States and cease to be a possible 
source of foreign complications, which might easily lead to war. 

From a military point of view the value of these islands to the 
United States can hardly be overestimated. We have always been 
anxious to have a good naval and coaling station in the West Indies. 
Important in time of peace, such a station would be essential to our 
safety in time of war. Successive administrations have labored to 
secure a West Indian naval station. During the war of the rebel- 
lion the United States leased the harbor of St. Xicholas from Hayti 
for this purpose. Creneral Grant endeavored during his Presidency 
to secure Samana Bay. The effort to obtain the Danish Islands, as 
has been slioAvn, Avas begun by Mr. SeAvard during the Presidency of 
Abraham Lincoln. The fine harbor of St. Thomas fulfills all the re- 
cjuired naval and militarj^ conditions. 

As has been pointed out by Captain Mahan. it is one of the great 
strategic points in the West Indies. The population of the three 
islands is only 33.000. of Avhoni nearly 30,000 are negroes, the others 
being chiefl}^ of English or Danish extraction. There is no possi- 



CESSIOX OF DAXISH ISLANDS IX THE WEST IXDIES. 15 

bility of any material increase in the population, and annexation 
Avoiild never involve at any time tlie troul)lesome (jaestion of State- 
hood. • The Danish Islands conkl easih' be governed as a Territory — 
could be readily defended from attack, occupy a commanding strate- 
gic position, and are of incalculable value to' the United States, not 
only as a part of the national defense, but as removing by their pos- 
session a very probable cause of foreign complications. 

Appendix A. 

[Confldential.] 

Legation ok the I'.xited States. 

CoiJCitliagoi. Xorcmhcr 28. 1S92. 

SiK : I am unofficially authorized to inform you that a proposal from the Gov- 
ernment of the United States to revive the convention of 18G7. by which it was 
proposed to cede the islands of St. Thomas and St. .Tohn to the United States, 
would now receive favorable consideration from the Danish Government, the 
meaning- of which is that the Danish Government will now, if desired, cede 
those islands to the United States upon the terms of the convention of 1867. 
The incidents through which I feel myself authorized to so inform you are as 
foHowis : 

On Thursday, the 15th instant, I called upon Mr. Estrup, the minister of 
finance and premier of Demnark, to sj^eak with him in regard to the loan of 
the Icelandic books giving an account of the discovery of America l)y Lief 
Anderson, so much desired by you for the State Department exlubit at the 
AVorld's Columbian Exposition. In the course of the conversation we recalled 
some of tlie interesting questions which have been considered by the L'nited 
States and Denmark, and special reference was made to the treaty in question, 
in which Mr. Estrup was specially interested, he having been at the time of its 
consideration a member of the Danish cabinet, occupying the post of minister 
of the interior. Reference was also made to his (^Mr. Estrup's) conversations 
with Colonel Arendrup, governor of the Danish West Indies, an account of 
^^■hich I gave in my No. 47 of .July 17, 1891. 

In the course of the conversation 'Sir. Estrup said that he would now be will- 
ing to cede tho.se islands to the United States, and indicated that he would be 
willing to do so upon the terms then agreed upon, etc., and it was suggested 
that the treaty could be revived, etc. I replied that while I had no authority 
from my Government to make any declaration whatsoever in regard to the 
matter. I should feel it to be my duty, if informed that the Danish Government 
were willing to give the matter favorable consideration, to so report to my 
C4overnment. I then explained the condition of affairs at Washington incident 
to the coming change of Administration, and said that it was scarcely probable, 
liowever the matter might lie regarded, that there could be any action at pres- 
ent, etc.. but added that there seemed to be a growing feeling in the United 
States that we require a naval, coaling, and supply station in the West 
Indies, etc. 

The conversation was quite extended, the minister giving me his views at 
length, the substance of which was that while these islands would be of inesti- 
mable value to the United States, it would be better for Denmark to cede them 
on the terms of the convention of 18(57, etc. I left him. substantially agreeing 
with him in this view of the matter, Init declaring that I had no authority to 
make any proposals, nor even suggestions, and that I should not feel it to be 
my duty to give the matter attention unless it should appear that the Danish 
Governinent was disposed to give the matter favorable consideration, in which 
case I should feel it to be my duty to inform my Government of such disposi- 
tion, etc. 

On Tuesday, the 22d instant, a week after this conversation, Mr, Estrup 
called at my house to say that he had been considering the matter since our 
interview, and had spoken at length concerning it with F.aron Keedtz-Thott, 
the minister of foreign affairs, wlio was of the same opinion as himself, and 
that he. Baron Reedtz-Thott, would speak with me about it, etc. 

On the same afternoon, upon my calling at the foreign office, the matter was 
brought up and Baron Reedtz-Thott expressed himself as equally ready to receive 
with favorable consideration a proposal from our Government to revive the 



16 CESSION OF DANISH ISLANDS IN THE WEST INDIES. 

treaty, etc. I repeated to him wliat I liad said to the premier as regarded the 
present Administratiou, and that I had no authority to malve any proposal 
nor su,L;y:estion, etc.. lie declaring that he knew this perfectly well, that Mr. 
Estrup and he had talked this all over, hut that they could see no harm in me 
and my Government heing apprised confidentially of their views, etc. I then 
said that I sliould feel it to be my duty to connnunicate these views confiden- 
tially to you. etc. 

About an hour after I left the minister of foreign affairs, he called upon me 
at my house and said tl)at lie had been reflecting upon the matter and had con- 
cluded tliat it was his duty, before authorizing me to make any statement to 
my Government, to lay it liefore His Majesty the King, which he C(»uld do in a 
day or two. tn which I. of course, replied that I would await furtlier informa- 
tion from him. 

On Friday afternoon, three days larer, the minister of foreign affairs again 
called upon me at my house and simply said: '" You may write to your Govern- 
ment that tlie matter will receive favorable Cfuisideration." 

The question will naturally arise as to the motives which prompted the Danish 
authorities to so express themselves in regard to this matter, and it may pos- 
sibly be inferred that the Government is in financial embarrassment and that 
money is needetJ to tide over some pressing financial difficulties. This is by no 
means the condition of affairs. There is scarcely a (J()vernment of Europe whose 
financial condition or credit is more sound. Tlie Danes are a prudent, eco- 
nomical, thrifty people, with whom the idea of pay as you go is c-arried out in 
public as well as in private affairs. There is no emergency which requires 
them to so act. and wliile the authorities express themselves confidentially, as 
has been stated, in consequence of tlie failure of the treaty of ISGT in the Senate 
of the United States, they will never formally i>ropose that it be revived. What- 
ever may be tlie views of our people upon the action of the Senate at that time, 
after the ivople of those islands, at the suggesti<m and request of the King of 
Denmark, liad, with almost perfect unanimity, voted f(U* separation, and the 
Danish Rigsdag had confirmed tlie treaty, the failure of the Senate of the 
United States to confirm it was most humiliating to the Danes. 

There are. hovrever. certain pulilic improvements which the Danes would like 
to make. t() only one of which I will refer. 

In tlie otherwise beautiful city of Gopenbagen the most conspicuous and un- 
sightly oli.iect is the ruined palace of Ghristiansliorg. whose grim and lilackened 
walls have stood since 1SS4, when the great edifice was Inirnetl. It has been 
the abode of royalty, contained the assemlily chamliers of their legislative bodies, 
great galleries of art, and all that went to make up and embellish this magnifi- 
cent building, which was really the capitol of Denmark. The entrances to the 
great palace were sentineled by colossal statues, masterpieces of Thorwaldsen, 
wonders of art, which fortunately were uninjured and are still standing in all 
the;r splendor, in striking contrast with the grim and somber ruin tliey were 
create<l to ;idorn. From every quarter of the city one may see ("bristiansborg. 
which, though in ruirts, in grandeur and sublimity still surpass every other 
object. Everywhere in Copenhagen, and even in the country, one is reminded 
of the ruins of tlie great palace. In several of the galleries of art t>ne sees ex- 
quisite pictures, creations of the great masters, which were torn frohi their 
frames while the palace was burning. Surrouniling the ruined palace, adjoining 
the courtyard, are the Tliorwaldsen IMuseum. the GUI North Museum, the great 
library containing GOO.OoO volumes, and the departments of state, all of which 
were saved from destruction. 

It was in one of tliese buildings, an annex to the ruined palace, the department 
of finance, where I first spoke with iNIr. Estrup on this question, and from this 
point of view it did not seem strange to me than a finance minister of this King- 
dom should be willing and should regard it as the part of wisdom to olitain the 
means of restoring his capital and to make other pulilic improvements through 
the cession of territory thousands of miles distant, who.se people have voted 
with almost perfect unanimity and still wish to cast their lot with the people 
of the heniispliere to which they belong and with whom they are allied in lan- 
guage and in trade relations. 

I need not recall the argument upon the treaty of a quarter of a centtiry ago, 
but it is proper that something be said about the harbor of St. Thomas and the 
conditions that now present themselves. It is almost circular in form, the en- 
trance to which is hy a neck guarded by two heavy forts, and capable of accom- 
modating aUO vessels. The island, 18 miles long by an average of 3 miles wide, 
has been justly designated as a small Gibraltar. It is asserted by the highest 
authority that it can at small expense be made impregnable. 



CESSION OF DANISH ISLANDS IN THE WEST INDIES. 17 

Unlike tlie mole of St. Nicholas, where a large amount would have to be ex- 
pended to erect suitable wharves and other necessary improvements and to 
defend them against dangers from a capricious government. St. Thomas has 
already, through private enterprise, her great wharves, ujion which thousands of 
tons of coal are deposited, an enormous floating dock capable of receiving vessels 
of 3,000 tons, marine slips for repairing small vessels, inunense cisterns for the 
storage of water for the supply of vessels, a factory where every kind of iron- 
work for the repair of vessels can lie turned out. including boilers, sJiafts, etc. 
The reiiresentatives of every industry and trade relating to the building and 
supply and navigation of ships — ship brokers, ship carpenters and calkers, iron 
founders, coal dealers, and others — can supply every demand of commerce. 
There are wharves alongside of which ships drawing 27 feet of water can be 
moored and coaled, day or night, at the rate of from 60 to 100 tons per hour. 

It is asserted and believed that the necessary defenses and the furnishing and 
equipping any other naval station in the West Indies, which nature and enter- 
prise liave already sujiplied to St. Thomas, if this were ])()ssi]>le. would cost 
nuicli more than the sum fixed upon in 18(57 as a consideration foi the cession of 
the islands of St. Thomas and St. John to the I'nited States. 

The.se Danish Islands, with the splendid harbor of St. Thomas, presenting all 
we can possibly desire for a naval and supply station — location, security, am- 
plitude, development — everything is within our reach upon terms which were 
regarded as reasonable when far less important or valuable to us. The vast 
increase of steam navigation necessitating supply stations for coal and ma- 
chinery, the expansion of our commerce, the building up of our splendid new 
Navy, the prospect of a ship canal across the isthmus, which will make St. 
Thomas one of the most important stations upon voyages around and to most 
of the countries of the world, all these considerations and numy more combine 
to make the possession of this harbor of far more importance to us than when 
the question of its acquisition was under consideration a quarter of a cen- 
tury ago. ■ 

I therefore feel it to be my imperative duty to apprise you of the views of the 
Danish authorities in regard to this important matter, and at the same time to 
venture to declare as my deliberate opinion that we should avail ourselves of 
the opportunity which now presents itself to acquire this haven and stronghold 
for our connnerce and ships of war, and to express the hope that this Adminis- 
tration, if it can do no more, will take measures to open the way to so desirable 
a consunmiation. 
I have, etc., 

Cr.ARK E. Cark. 

Hon. John W. Foster, 

Secretary of State, Washington, D. C. 



Legation of the United States, 

Copenhagen, November 29, 1S92. 

Dear Mr. Secretary : I send you to-day a confidential dispatch. No. 129, on 
the Danish West Indies, by which you will see that, without committing myself 
or the Government in the least, I have learned that we can have St. Thomas 
and St. John on the terms agreed upon in 1867. 

I believe that we must have a station in that region, and that it will be found 
that this is tlie best one available, and that it will be sought for on our part 
soon, and that this Administration should take the initiative. This can now 
be done if desired, but should the President not be inclined to do so, we are not, 
as you will see. committed in the least. 

It seems to me that it would be wise for the President to take up the matter 
of securing such a station in his message to Congress, but of course I would 
not presume to advi.se him. There are certainly many reasons why we had 
better have such a splendid harbor and own the whole islands inhabited by a 
people who really desire to cast their lot with us, and who will become loyal, 
patriotic Americans, than to have a station situated among a people of a dif- 
ferent nationality. 

Whatever may be thought of the matter, I hope that you will so instruct me 
that I may be able to show Mr. Estrup and Baron Reedtz-Thott that you are 
not indifferent to their feelings in the matter, and that you appreciate the sug- 
gestions they have confidentially made in our private iniofficial interviews. 
They will not be disappointed if you simply say that the matter can not be 

53497—16 2 



18 CESSIOX OF DANISH ISLANDS IX THE WEST INDIES. 

taken up so late in the Administration, as I have informed them that this will 
probably be the case, but you know far better than I what is best. You are 
only, of course, supposed to be confidentially informed that it will receive 
favorable consideration. * * * 

Clark E. Care. 
Gen. John W. Foster. 



[Confidential.] 

Department of State, 
Waslihifiton, December 20, 1892. 

Sir : I have to acknowledge the receipt of your confidential dispatch No. 129, 
of November 2S, 1S92, with reference to the willingness evinced by the Danish 
Government to cede to the United States the islands of St. Thomas and St, 
John on the basis of the convention of 1867. 

I take pleasure in commending the skill and tact with which you have re- 
ceived the approach of the Danish Government on the subject, and while ascer- 
taining the disposition of the Danish Government have in no way committed 
the Government of the United States. 

The question of the acquisition of tlie islands is one of far-reaching and na- 
tional importance, the extent of which is appreciated by no one more than the 
President. As liis administration is. however, drawing to its close, he considers 
it inadvisable to express any views or indicate any policy the consummation of 
whicli he could not effect. 

He directs me to express his cordial appreciation of the friendly attitude of 
the Danish Government and of the confidence and frankness displayed by Mr. 
Estrup and Baron Reedtz-Thott in their conversations with you. 

You are therefore instructed to convey verbally to these gentlemen the senti- 
ments of the President, and to explain the reasons, if they are not clearly ap- 
prehended, why the present consideration of the cession of the islands of St. 
Thomas and St. .Tohn is impracticable. 

I am, etc., John W. Foster. 

Clark E. Carr, Esq.. Copenhofien. 



[Telegram.] 

Department of State, 
Washiuffton, December 31, 1892. 
Caer, INIinister, Copenh(i(/eu: 

Take no action on instruction No. 12S for present. 

Foster. 



[Telegram.] 

Department of State, 
WasJtiufiton, Fcbriionj .), 1893. 
Carr, Minister, CopcnJiaocn: 

You can execute instruction No. 128 at convenient opportunity. 

Foster. 



Legation of the United States, 

CopcnJiapou January 2, 1893. 
Sir: On Saturday night, the 31st ultimo. I received from you a telegram as 
follows : 

" Carr, minister : Take no action on instruction No. 128 for present. Foster." 
On this morning came in the mail your confidential dispatch No. 128. 
As I undei-stand the telegram, it is my duty to say nothing more concerning 
the matter until I receive further advices from the Department. Should it still 
be under consideration, it is no doubt better to wait, but I hope in the near 
future to 1)0 authorized to make some recognition on the part of our Government 
of the suggestions of the Danish authorities. 

I have, etc., Clark E. Carr. 

Hon. John W. Foster. 

Secretary of State, AVasliinyion, D. C. 



CESSIOISr OF DANISH ISLANDS IN THE WEST INDIES. 19 

I I'ontideiitiiil.l 

Legation of the United States, 

Voijcnhagen, February 22, 1803. 

Sir: Referring to my confidential dispatch No. 129, to your confidential dis- 
patch No. 128. and to yonr two dispatches 120 and 134, and to my 132, resard- 
in.i,' the confidential information (liat the L'nited States can now, if desired, 
acquire the islands of St. Tliomas and St. John upon tlie terms desi.nnated in 
the convention of 1807 hetween the United States and Demnark, I have to say 
that as soon as opportunity offered after receiving your second telegram I 
spoke with Mr. Estrup and Karon Reedtz-Thott, giving them the views of the 
President as you instructed me to do. 

They were not surprised at this, as I had previously given them to under- 
stand that it was improbalile that the President would take the matter up when 
his Administration was so near its close. Each, however, spoke of the jiending 
negotiations regarding Hawaii, and suggested that perhaps they may have had 
some influence in the matter, and reference was made to a statement tliat has 
appeared in the newspapers that we are looking to the acquisition of Samana 
Bay, etc., and that this may perhaps influence oiu" Government unfavorably in 
regard to St. Thomas, etc. Of course I could express no opinion in regard to 
this, but it seemed to them, as it appears to me, that with a canal across the 
Isthmus the acquisition of Hawaii makes it even more important that we 
should have a station in the West Indies. 

Of course any action will depend on the views of the incoming Administra- 
tion. Should it be regarded as worthy of further consideration, while it would 
be a great satisfaction to me to be permitted to pursue a matter to which I 
have given some considerable thought, it will be a pleasure to me as well as 
my duty to aid my successor in office in every way in my power to attain the 
end that may seem desirable. 

It seems to be the opinion of all those who are informed as to the needs of 
our new Navy and of our growing commerce that the time has arrived when 
we require a naval station in the West Indies. For such a station, in location, 
accessibility, amplitude, and natural strength, the harbor of St. Thomas pre- 
sents far greater advantages than any other that is available. 

With its natural advantages it can be made impregnable, and it is my delib- 
erate opinion that with these advantages, and its wharves and docks and build- 
ings and machinery already established by private enterprise, the acquisition 
of this splendid harbor upon the terms suggested, and its equipment, would in 
the end be^ far less expensive than that of any other in that region. 
I have, etc., 

Clark E. Carr. 

Hon. John W. Foster, 

Secretary^ of State, Washington, D. C. 



Legation of the United States, 

Copenhagen, January IJi, 1896. 

Sir: Several New York newspapers, of dates al>out the 1st instant, arrived 
here yesterday and created considerable interest by certain contents to the 
effect "that Denmark was ofliering, through Mr. Henrick Cavling, a newspaper 
editor of this city, but now in Washington, to sell to the United States the 
West India Islands, St. Thomas, St. Croix, and St. John; and intimating that 
if the United States did not buy them Germany would probably do so. Some 
newspaper reporters called at this legation and asked to be informed whether 
any such negotiations were pending. Of course I declined to say anything 
whatever on the subject. 

During the day I had an entirely informal conversation with INIr. Yedel, the 
director-general of the ministry of foreign affairs, in whicli he exhibited to me 
copies of the articles in question, which he said had been sent to him by one 
of the city newspapers with a request for information; but he said he would 
say nothing about it to the press. To me he said, however, that Mr. Cavling 
was a self-appointed agent and had no authority nor instigation from the for- 
eign office, nor was there any negotiation whatever pending l)etween Dennuirk 
and Germanv for the sale or transfer of the islands. 

Thinking that in the changed condition of afl:airs it might be or might become 
desirable for the United States to reopen the negotiation for the purchase of 



20 CESSION OF DANISH ISLANDS IN THE WEST INDIES, 

the islands, I said tliat. wliile I liad no instruction wliatever on tlie subject 
from my Govt>rnment, I would personally be glad to be informed whether Den- 
mark was inclined to reopen the matter. He replied that certainly Den- 
mark, having met with a disastrous failure in the effort of 1868, could liot pro- 
pose to reopen it ; but if the United States should choose to do so, he was of 
opinion that Ids Government would be inclined to sell them, though he was 
personally opposed to it. 

I am aware of the action taken by the Department and my predecessor in 
the early months of 1893. but the subject was dropped then" because of the 
approaching close of the Administration of President Harrison. 

It is wholly unnecessary for me to discuss the value of these islands to the 
United States. It is quite apparent that in certain contingencies they might 
be very useful, but whether on the whole it would be wise to purchase them 
I do not presume to express an opinion. All I desire to say is that if our Gov- 
ernment shall wish to take uji the matter I believe it can be brought to a more 
speedy conclusion and with more secrecy and safety by carrying on the nego- 
tiation here rather than in Washington. 
I have, etc., 

John E. Risley. 

Hon. Richard Olney, 

Secretary of State, Washin(/to)i, D. C. 



Legation of the United States. 

Copenliiujcn, January 18, 1896. 

Sir: I have the honor to report that early this afternoon Baron Zytphen- 
Adler, from the Danish foreign office, called at this legation and said the minis- 
ter would be much ol^liged if I would call at the ministry at 3.30 o'clock. On 
complying with the request, the minister told me he had received two cable- 
grams from Mr. Brun. Danish minister at Washington, in regard to the sale 
of the Danish West India Islands. 

The first, received yestei'day, was to the effect that Mr. Brun had a conversa- 
tion with yourself, which his excellency said he did not clearly understand 
and had awaited further advices ; the second came to-day and was to the effect 
that a resolution on the subject had been offered in the Senate. There was no 
explanation of the character of the resolution, nor was the name given of the 
Senator who offered it. 

The minister said he wished me to clearly understand that no one had been 
authorized to offer the islands for sale to any power whatever, nor would they 
be offered for sale. The minister continued, however, to say that if the United 
States should make an offer for them he could assure me that it would be 
fairly considered; that the great publicity given to the sul)ject would no doubt 
increase the difficulties here and make it more difficult to carry the matter 
through to success; and there might possibly be an objection from France, as 
to the island of St. Croix, from wliom it was acquired some two hundred years 
ago. He thought not, but deemed it right to mention the possibility, as it was 
lietfer to have everything as clearly understood as possible before proceeding 
further. 

The foregoing is the substance of what his excellency said. I replied that I 
understood the position of the Danish Government to be that they would make 
no offer, but that if an offer should be made by the Government of the Ignited 
States it would be considered in a friendly spirit, and I informed him I had 
already written to you to that effect, substantially, on the strength of an in- 
formal conversation had with Mr. Yedel, the director-general. 

The impression made on my mind is that the minister will gladly welcome 
an offer from the United States. Though not a word was said on the subject 
in this connection, I think the condition of political parties here would make 
it rather desirable to the ministry to carry to a speedy success such a negotiation. 

Awaiting any instructions you may have to give, 
I have, etc., 



John E. Risley. 



Hon. Richard Olney. 

Secretary of State, Washington, D. C. 




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